21st Century Entrepreneurship Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
- Committees
- Education and Workforce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Apr 21, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to boost entrepreneurship rates among disadvantaged youth by leveraging experienced SCORE mentors to provide structured education through existing community learning center networks.
What it actually does
This bill, the "21st Century Entrepreneurship Act," directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop an entrepreneurship curriculum for volunteers from the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) to teach students at community learning centers. It formally amends existing law to include this educational role for SCORE and makes entrepreneurship education an explicit allowable activity for community learning centers, particularly targeting disadvantaged youth. The bill also mandates biennial reporting on program implementation and effectiveness.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this bill addresses a critical need to foster entrepreneurship, especially in disadvantaged communities, by connecting experienced mentors with young students. They contend that early exposure to entrepreneurship can create new jobs, grow the economy, and improve quality of life, citing studies that show mentorship increases the likelihood of pursuing entrepreneurial fields. This initiative utilizes existing volunteer networks (SCORE) and community infrastructure (community learning centers) for efficient program delivery.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that while the intent is good, the bill could lead to mission creep for the SBA and SCORE, potentially diverting resources from their primary roles of assisting small businesses. Concerns could also be raised about the effectiveness and scalability of a volunteer-led curriculum, or whether entrepreneurship education is best delivered through community learning centers rather than formal educational institutions, potentially creating an unfunded mandate or administrative burden on these centers.
The bill is short and clearly written, making it easy for a reader to understand its provisions quickly.
Section 4(a) and 4(b)
SBA-SCORE Entrepreneurship Curriculum for Youth
This provision mandates the Small Business Administration (SBA), in collaboration with the SCORE program, to create a curriculum focused on entrepreneurship for students attending community learning centers. The development process requires input from education specialists, entrepreneurship groups, business groups, and organizations serving underrepresented children. Additionally, the SBA, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, must devise a strategy for implementing this curriculum within community learning centers.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision directly addresses the findings that early mentorship in entrepreneurship can significantly increase engagement in these fields, particularly for disadvantaged youth. By mandating a structured curriculum and implementation strategy, it ensures a consistent and high-quality educational experience, leveraging the expertise of SCORE volunteers and relevant stakeholders.
Critics contend
Critics might express concern about the administrative burden placed on the SBA and SCORE to develop and implement a new curriculum, potentially diverting resources from their core mission of assisting existing small businesses. They might also question the capacity of community learning centers to effectively integrate this new program without additional funding or support.
Tradeoffs
The tension lies between expanding the reach of entrepreneurship education to underserved youth and the potential for increased administrative overhead or mission creep for the involved agencies and volunteer organizations.
Section 4(d) and 4(e)
Formalizing Entrepreneurship Education in Federal Law
This provision amends both the Small Business Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). It explicitly adds teaching entrepreneurship to students through community learning centers as a function of the SCORE program. Concurrently, it modifies the ESEA to include "entrepreneurship education taught through volunteers with the SCORE program" as an allowable activity for community learning centers and a specific purpose of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. These changes provide the legal framework for the new educational initiative.
Section 4(f)
Accountability and Program Evaluation Report
This provision mandates that the Administrator of the Small Business Administration submit a report to specific Congressional committees (Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, House Committee on Small Business) every two years. The report must detail the use of the entrepreneurship curriculum by SCORE and community learning centers, document the use of funds and adherence to procurement procedures, describe training provided to SCORE chapter leadership, estimate the number of students reached, identify barriers, and outline plans for improvement.
Amends Section 8(b)(1)(B) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)(B)) to include teaching entrepreneurship to students via community learning centers as a SCORE function. Also amends Section 4201(a)(2) and 4205(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7171(a)(2), 7175(a)) to explicitly allow and encourage entrepreneurship education by SCORE volunteers in community learning centers.
Section 4(d) and 4(e)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for amending existing statutes, aiming for conciseness in the bill text itself. It is not necessarily evasive.
Case for: Supporters argue this method is efficient and standard for integrating new policy into the existing legal framework, ensuring consistency and avoiding redundancy.
Case against: Critics might contend that this approach makes the bill less accessible to the general public, requiring legal research to fully grasp its implications, which can obscure the full impact of the changes.
Estimated impact: Formally integrates the new entrepreneurship education initiative into the legal mandates and allowable activities of two major federal programs (SCORE and 21st Century Community Learning Centers), providing a strong legal basis for its implementation and funding.